hong kong has been charging fifty cents per plastic bag since 2009. i think this is one of the smartest moves made by hong kong following the invention of octopus cards. it's amazing how this "law" works on people psychologically. we never give a crap about our loose cents jingling in our pockets and yet when we are forced to pay a mere fifty cents for a plastic bag, we become hesitant. why is that? either way it's definitely motivating people to carry around their own shopping bags. hong kong already has issues with littering and pollution so reducing the amount of plastic bags can only do good for the environment.
today i was asked a very interesting question. i went to a fruits shop, ordered a freshly squeezed juice along with a fruit salad. i had my hands full with my wallet in one hand and some papers in the other. i gave the lady my money and asked for a fork as well as a straw. as she gave me back the change, she asked "do you really need a bag?" now this took me off guard. you see, if she had just said "do you need a bag?" then i would've said yes without thinking twice. but by her just adding the word "really" i thought, why yes, can't you see that my hands are full and i could really use a little help of a bag? but now that you ask, hmm i guess i dont really need a bag.
so i left holding my wallet and drink in one hand, my fruit salad with the fork strategically placed between my fingers and my pile of papers tucked under my armpit - all without the help of a bag.
and i left thinking, wow all shops should just simply rephrase the question just like how the lady did and soon enough people will naturally say no to plastic bags even without the fifty cents levy.
it actually sounds like u really needed a bag
ReplyDeletelol true to Randy's comment.
ReplyDeleteI think it was more her TONE than her wording. (that's just how I pictured it in my head)